Welcome to the time of year when all Jews Go Green, sit under the stars and feel
the joy. Happy Sukkot!
Here are some tips for the holiday:
WHAT'S WITH THE HUT?
For 40 years in the desert, G-d protected us with the "Clouds of Glory". For eight days (7 for Reform Jews and Jews in Israel), we'll step out of man-made comforts and remind ourselves to trust G-d (that he'll hold off the rain and protect us from sukkah-breakers).
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Stick your sukkah under the stars. No overhanging trees or eaves allowed. (If you're in a complex/ apartment building, make sure you have permission before erecting your Sukkah, or it won't be kosher).
WALLED IN
You can use just about anything for Sukkah walls (including existing walls), as long as the walls don't flap like sails in the wind.
Minimum wall layout: 2 full walls + 1 mini-wall (about 1/2m).
Sukkah walls should reach from the floor to the top (you can have a gap of about 10cm at the bottom or top of the walls).
SEEING STARS
No, your Sukkah will not be waterproof. The roof needs to be made of vegetation that's been cut down (a creeper over the roof is no good).
Popular options for "schach"/roof covering include: Palm, bamboo or unfinished lumber.
You know your Sukkah's kosher when it's shady inside at noon. Rather have too much schach than too little. Do you need to see the stars? Yes (assuming you can see them through the city smog), but only from one spot in the Sukkah (feel free to set up a telescope through the branches).
Here are some tips for the holiday:
WHAT'S WITH THE HUT?
For 40 years in the desert, G-d protected us with the "Clouds of Glory". For eight days (7 for Reform Jews and Jews in Israel), we'll step out of man-made comforts and remind ourselves to trust G-d (that he'll hold off the rain and protect us from sukkah-breakers).
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Stick your sukkah under the stars. No overhanging trees or eaves allowed. (If you're in a complex/ apartment building, make sure you have permission before erecting your Sukkah, or it won't be kosher).
WALLED IN
You can use just about anything for Sukkah walls (including existing walls), as long as the walls don't flap like sails in the wind.
Minimum wall layout: 2 full walls + 1 mini-wall (about 1/2m).
Sukkah walls should reach from the floor to the top (you can have a gap of about 10cm at the bottom or top of the walls).
SEEING STARS
No, your Sukkah will not be waterproof. The roof needs to be made of vegetation that's been cut down (a creeper over the roof is no good).
Popular options for "schach"/roof covering include: Palm, bamboo or unfinished lumber.
You know your Sukkah's kosher when it's shady inside at noon. Rather have too much schach than too little. Do you need to see the stars? Yes (assuming you can see them through the city smog), but only from one spot in the Sukkah (feel free to set up a telescope through the branches).
